It’s not about the numbers any more: it’s about how to invest in impeccable quality to climb out of the SEO race and into the hands of your target market. No longer should your budget be allocated towards advertising, but paying experts to produce amazing content that stands on its.

Google is looking for one thing and one thing only these days: quality… quality quality quality. And creating authentic high-caliber content translates to cost, not simply throwing bottom dollar at a content mill that produces barely readable copy brimming with ineffective SEO bait. Google’s algorithms are getting smarter, and so is your intended audience.

Invest in Outstanding Copy

Hire excellent copywriters who have a proven track record of producing well-written, intelligent copy. Writers should have a strong working knowledge of subject matter- it is helpful to hire experts in the field to bolster credibility- and be creative. A good example is the dating blog of Flirt.com.

Google rewards original topics, not one of twenty slightly different variations of the same subject matter, so ascertain your writers produce content is innovative and fresh. And again, your mantra here is quality, not quantity. Relevant, edited text that flows and engages is essential. Ensure the usage of proper spelling, grammar and research to back up claims.

Have your writer(s) dedicate as much time and thought on crafting headlines as they do producing the copy itself... it’s that important. Have you ever found yourself clicking on something that you had no previous interest in and then wonder how you got there? The next time that happens, analyze the headline. How did it present its message in such an insatiable way that you couldn’t resist its appeal? The headline is everything; it dictates the split-second decision to give you the time of day.

Lure potential readers with an offer they just cannot refuse: promises of how to be better, improve their lives, fix that problem. Have your writers use phrases that pack punch, with specificity like 10 Ways to Host a Dinner Party Your Friends Won’t Be Able to Resist over a vague Dinner Parties with Friends. Titles should describe content in an irresistible manner.

Another area to consider employing your writers is social media presence. Asking them to write long, well-written Instagram captions that involve storytelling or pose a thoughtful question will prompt users to comment and discuss which increases views.

Consider a Photographer

Hire a professional photographer so that you can include a delightful smorgasbord of original high-quality images to support your copy. Content bolstered by excellent photography is far more likely to get noticed by visitors and shared on Instagram and Pinterest, both of which rely on image to engage. Good photography can give your website a visual edge of professionalism that stands out among your competitors and can influence potential clients in your favor.

Outsource Social Media

Invest in a social media maven a professional who can navigate multiple social media platforms with ease and build the foundation of your brand across the digital landscape. This individual needs to be digital-savvy, active and responsive in comment threads, maintain a neutral tone, re-post relevant material from similar accounts, keep up with current industry news, stay on top of social media trends and effectively attract a respectable number of new followers. Depending on the size of your organization and your needs, their involvement could range from occasional posts to an in-house Social Media Manager.

Ramp up Your Website

Hire a coder to engage website visitors with a superior website design that boasts novel interactive features like forums or chat rooms where users can connect or discuss products. Add easily-accessible newsletter sign-ups via dreaded but effective pop-ups and entertain visitors with linked buttons, videos, and humorous GIFs.

Where to find them

Upwork.com is a great resource for those looking to hire freelancers to enrich their content where you can view potential hires’ qualifications, portfolios, and reviews. A quick Google search of your area should turn up a number of local freelancers, or find them by seeking recommendations on your personal social media accounts. Craigslist will also provide you with ample applicants, though they may be of questionable merit.

As with any investment, it may be a bit of a risk, but allotting a healthy portion of your budget towards curating excellent content will gain you industry respect, search engine recognition, and potential customers to pay off in the long run.